The new hub will provide access to general practitioners, physiologists, social workers, drug and alcohol services, employment and training support as well as general mental health care.

“This is exactly what I spoke about in 2016,” Ms Wait said.

“To see it open is fantastic … whether it was because of (what happened to my friend) or not.”

Sharing her time between Melbourne and Wagga, Ms Wait said there were many she knew who would greatly benefit from Wagga’s “incredible news”.

“It’s amazing,” Ms Wait said.

“I hope it can take away the stress of some people in the community, as well as take pressure off the staff at the hospital.”

The boost to Wagga’s mental health support services could not come at a better time, with rural suicide rates more than 50-per-cent higher than capital cities, according to Centre for Remote and Rural Mental Health report.